Gastric and Stomach Cancer

What are gastric and stomach cancer causes and risk factors?

Scientists don’t yet know what causes stomach cancer. Research is ongoing, including studies considering how pre-cancerous changes affect the stomach lining. Certain conditions may progress to cancer, including:

• Chronic atrophic gastritis: This condition is caused by H pylori infection or an autoimmune reaction where the immune system attacks cells in the stomach. Some people with this condition develop stomach cancer.
• Intestinal metaplasia: Normal stomach lining is replaced with cells that look like the cells lining the intestine. It is not yet known why this change develops into stomach cancer.

There are many risk factors that can contribute to a stomach cancer diagnosis, including:

• Gender (more common in men than women)
• Age (risk increases over 50)
• Ethnicity (more common in Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders)
• H pylori infection
• Stomach lymphoma
• Diets containing large amounts of cured, smoked or processed meats
• Smoking tobacco
• Heavy alcohol use
• Obesity or being overweight
• Stomach surgery
• Pernicious anemia
• Type A blood
• Inherited syndromes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
• Family history of cancer
• Working in the coal, rubber, or metal industry

Common Signs and Symptoms

Early-stage stomach cancer is difficult to detect. The disease rarely causes symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Stomach cancer symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain, discomfort, or swelling
• Poor appetite
• Feeling full in the upper abdomen after eating a small meal
• Indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Blood in the stool

Signs of stomach cancer can also be signs of a less serious condition, such as a stomach virus or ulcer. If you experience these symptoms, consult with your doctor to determine a cause and treatment plan.